73. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the EU-Israel association agreement; the actions our Government is taking in talks with our EU partners related to Israel's compliance with Article 2 of this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/25]

Sentiment score: 0.25

Question No. 73 relates to the work the Tánaiste is doing relating to the EU-Israel association agreement. I respect hugely the work that we have done in the European Union, that the Tánaiste has done in the European Union and the respect for the rule of law. Given that there is ample evidence to suggest that Israel is outside the terms of that agreement and that it is not respecting the rule of law or humanitarian law, evidence of which we see time after time, as well as the advisory opinion of the ICJ, can we persuade our colleagues in the European Union to take action on the EU-Israel association agreement and actually hold Israel to account with regard to human rights clauses in that agreement?

Sentiment score: 0.44

I put on record my admiration for the fact that the Tánaiste has put together a coalition among our European colleagues. It is no small feat. Given what he has said and given the inconsistency of the strength of action that Europe has taken on Russia, and the lack of action taken regarding Israel, how can we continue to have faith in the operation of the rule of law if this is not an almost automatic thing? Where the breach has been found, how is unanimity still required when, on the face of it, there are clear breaches that render the agreement inoperable?

Sentiment score: 0.38